Differentiation Flashcards

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  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is cell differentiation?

Cell differentiation is when an unspecialised cell changes to become a specialised cell with a particular job.

What is meant by a specialised cell?

A specialised cell is a cell that has a particular structure and job, such as a nerve cell or a red blood cell.

Why is cell differentiation important in multicellular organisms?

It allows different cells to do different jobs. This helps the organism work well and form tissues and organs.

When do most animal cells differentiate?

Most animal cells differentiate at an early stage of life, during growth and early development.

How is plant cell differentiation different from animal cell differentiation?

Many plant cells keep the ability to differentiate throughout the plant's life, but most animal cells can only differentiate early in life.

What is a stem cell in simple terms?

A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that can divide and then differentiate into one or more types of specialised cell.

Give two changes that may happen to a cell as it differentiates.

The cell may change shape, and it may gain new structures, such as more mitochondria or a long tail.

What happens to most animal cells after they have differentiated?

Most animal cells can then only carry out their special job and may be able to divide, but they cannot change type again.

How does cell differentiation lead to tissues and organs?

Similar specialised cells group together to form a tissue, and different tissues join to form an organ with a larger job.

Which comes first in growth: cell division or cell differentiation?

Cell division comes first to make more cells. Then the new cells can differentiate to become specialised for different jobs.